Kirk Pitches One-Hitter In Victory

Monroe, La. (4/15/12) - Ashley Kirk pitched a one-hitter to lead the North Texas softball team to a 4-1 victory against ULM on Sunday afternoon at the ULM Softball Complex.

Monroe, La. (4/15/12) - Ashley Kirk pitched a one-hitter to lead the North Texas softball team to a 4-1 victory against ULM on Sunday afternoon at the ULM Softball Complex.

The Mean Green (19-21, 9-8-1) avoided the conference series sweep by the Warhawks, picking up the win in the third game. ULM falls to 18-19 and 5-10, but wins the season series against the Mean Green with two victories.

Kirk was one out away from a no-hitter until MacKenzie Miller doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the seventh inning. Alexis Cacioppo scored from second after reaching base with a walk to erase the shutout.

The sophomore (7-9) pitched a complete game, allowing one run off one hit. She struck out eight batters and walked four.

The Mean Green scored all its runs in the fourth inning, drawing two bases-loaded walks to go ahead, 2-0. Megan Rupp posted a RBI single, and Lesley Hirsch capped the scoring with a fielder's choice that plated a run.

Maddelyn Fraley led the Mean Green with a 3-for-4 performance. She posted six hits in the series for a .600 batting percentage. Overall, she leads the team with a .369 average.

Kirk pitched two one-hitters against ULM this weekend but came away with just one win. She gave up two earned runs off two hits and struck out 15 batters in the two games. Overall, she has struck out 118 batters this season, moving her into a tie for fourth place in NT's single-season strikeout record book. Kirk set the strikeout record last year with 158.

North Texas returns to action on Wednesday, April 18 when it faces Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. at 6 p.m.